Cisco's CEO said firms could perhaps run with 20% fewer people. He prefers growth.
Cisco chief executive Chuck Robbins told Inc. magazine that companies face a choice, Fortune reported on 24 September.
"You can do exactly what you're doing today, perhaps with 20 percent fewer people," he said. "Or you can do 20 percent more and deliver more innovation to your customers with the same number of people you have today."
Robbins urged companies to choose growth. The most innovative companies "shouldn't view this as a cost-reduction efficiency play." They should treat it as "an innovation enhancement play," he said.
Cisco itself cut about 4,000 jobs earlier this year as it restructured toward AI growth areas, Fortune reported.
For staff who dislike constant change, Robbins said, "nothing's going to feel good right now." When the people building the most advanced models question the pace of development, "we should listen," he added.
Fortune asked Cisco for comment. The article carries no further response.
If AI gave your team 20% of its time back, would your CFO let you keep it?
Sources
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